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Para ver esta página en español, oprima aquí. Citizens Comm. Against Violence Evaluates U.N. Model…Bhatia: Merge Municipal & State Police…Education To Pay 1.9m In Political Discrimination Suit…UA To Fly Daily Between D.C. & SJ…Police Chief Asked To Name D.R. Crime Liaison…Protesters March Against UPR Privatization Policy… Rivera Shatz Denies Sabotage Charges
Citizens Comm. Against Violence Evaluates U.N. Model By Joanisabel Gonzalez-Velazquez of WOW News October 9, 2003 The Citizens Committee against Violence said the government’s public policy to fight crime should include a public health focus similar to a model approved by the United Nations (UN). Committee chairwoman and Secretary of the Family Department Yolanda Zayas said the 400-page document prepared by the UN in 2000 contains statistical information on countries all over the world, and presents parameters, standards, and specific strategies to stop violence and promote a culture of peace. But people must wait another three weeks before knowing which concrete measures the government will adopt or put into effect, since Gov. Sila M. Calderon gave the 12-member group until them to complete its report, which initially was expected to be complete by the end of September. Moreover, the results of those strategies, according to Zayas and professor Julio Muriente, also a member of the Committee, would be seen in the future not now. "There are immediate measures to be taken, but their results don’t represent immediate solutions. Results would be seen progressively," Muriente said. The adoption of the UN model to deal with violence is part of seven strategies proposed by the group of citizens appointed by Calderon last month to seek alternatives to fight the high incidence of crime. In 1996, the World Health Organization (WHO) assembly declared violence a major global public health problem, and requested the preparation of the report. According to WHO statistics, 2.3 million people died in the U.S. in 1999. Of those, about 110,000 died under violent circumstances, which vary from car accidents to homicide or injuries intentionally inflicted by other party. However, the local committee did not explain how or why the model would serve to stop violence. Its members will participate in a seminar on Oct. 14 about the UN mode, sponsored by the local Health department. It is expected UN officials related to the "World Report on Health and Violence" will also attend. Zayas said the group agreed that punitive measures won’t solve the island’s violence and won’t recommend strategies used by the administration of former Gov. Pedro Rossello. Dr. Salvador Santiago recalled an anti-crime operation in Santurce conducted by 20 agencies during the Rossello administration, in which 973 people were arrested and some bars and prostitution establishments were closed. He said most people arrested in the raid were never convicted of any crime. "We cannot waste the country’s resources by employing such strategies," Santiago said. In addition to the new perspective of addressing violence as a public health problem, group members proposed other initiatives like: -the creation of a research and analysis organization to investigate the extent of violence and its forms; to assess the results of implemented initiatives against violence; and to give advice on public policy; -meeting with media companies in order to produce educational advertisements or TV and radio spots against violence; -strengthening the Open School program of the Education department, which is in effect in 700 schools throughout the island; -integrating universities and students with community service initiatives through internships or the requirement of work/study hours; -empowering citizens and encouraging communities to organize themselves as action groups, and -requesting volunteers—including intermediate and high schools students as representatives well of civic organizations like the Rotary Clubs, and Lions Club— work in schools and government agencies, emphasizing on the importance of serving the country without economic incentives as a priority. Along with Zayas, Muriente and Santiago, other committee members are: Carmen Villanueva, Sonia Señeriz, governor’s aide Wilda Ninn, Idalia Colon, president of the Social Workers Association Milagros Rivera Watterson, law student Juan Capella Noya, union leaders Federico Torres Montalvo and Jose Rodriguez Baez, and kids programming star Sandra Zaiter. Gov. Calderon attended the committee meeting along with the leader of civic organization United for Life Nestor Muñiz, whose teenage daughter Nicole died in August after a stray bullet which struck her as she was driving past a housing project. On Thursday afternoon, Calderon met Police Superintendent Victor Rivera as well as high-ranking membership of the Police Department to continue the discussion of the government’s efforts to stop the high incidence of crime in the island. Calderon did not address reporters after the meeting. The governor has not made any public appearances or held a press conference since she withdrew the nomination of Secretary of State Ferdinand Mercado as chief justice last week, although rumors spread she might resign her post. On Wednesday, however, she did speak with some media representatives pre-selected by La Fortaleza, and denied rumors of a possible resignation.
Bhatia Proposes Merging Municipal And State Police October 9, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) – Popular Democratic Party (PDP) San Juan mayoral pre-candidate Eduardo Bhatia proposed a security plan on Thursday that would merge the municipal and state police. Bhatia acknowledged that the proposal would be an uphill effort because it will require legislation, but said it would be more effective for the capital. "A single police force for San Juan, both municipal and state, could be achieved by transferring state police faculties to the municipal police," Bhatia said during a press conference at his committee headquarters in Puerto Nuevo. The former senator said that should he win the primary against fellow party member Roberto Vigoreaux and the general elections against San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini, he would create a school guard program, a park ranger corps, and a citizens security board.
Education To Pay Millions In Political Discrimination Suit October 9, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) – A federal jury ruled that the Education Department discriminated against 19 employees for political reasons and ordered the agency to pay compensation totaling $1.9 million. The verdict confirms that political discrimination did occurred during the restructuring of the agency under the supervision of Education Secretary Cesar Rey. Rey will have to pay $15,000 personally to three attorneys of the department’s legal division, who are among the plaintiffs. Human Resources Deputy Secretary Lissette Pilicchi will also have to pay part of the compensation out of her own pocket, as ordered by the jury, published reports said. Originally there were 28 plaintiffs, but the jury concluded that nine of them had not suffered discrimination. Each of the plaintiffs should receive between $10,000 and $300,000. Last week, Rey testified in court the personnel restructuring was based on the professional qualifications of each employee and that he didn’t know most of them.
United Airlines To Offer Daily Non-Stop Service Between Washington Dulles And San Juan, Puerto Rico Service Begins December 15 October 9, 2003 CHICAGO, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines today announced that it will launch daily, non- stop service to San Juan (SJU) from its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) effective December 15, 2003. United currently flies weekend- only service between Dulles and San Juan via St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Flights are available for booking beginning today. "We are excited to be expanding our service between Washington Dulles and San Juan," said Kevin Knight, vice president - resource planning. "This additional service reflects our ongoing commitment to the Caribbean and our desire to offer our customers more choice when flying to leisure travel destinations." The service will use Airbus A320s or similar aircraft. The southbound flight will depart Washington Dulles daily at 9:25 a.m. and arrive in San Juan at 2:10 p.m. The return flight will depart daily from San Juan at 5:00 p.m. and arrive at Washington Dulles at 7:54 p.m.
NPP Electoral Commissioner Denies Sabotage Charges By Melissa B. Gonzalez Valentin of WOW News October 8, 2003 New Progressive Party (NPP) Electoral Commissioner Thomas Rivera Schatz said the procedure to be followed in the upcoming primary will be exactly the same as in previous elections and denied any attempts on his part to hinder NPP President Carlos Pesquera’s chances of winning the NPP gubernatorial candidacy. "I have nothing to hide," said Rivera Schatz after learning that Pesquera’s committee directors had requested that State Elections Commission President Aurelio Gracia settle the issue by guaranteeing that no irregularities would take place at the primary. Rivera Schatz’s statements were issued shortly after NPP Rep. Edwin Mundo—who is also Pesquera’s campaign strategy director—held a press conference Wednesday to denounce the alleged attempts. Mundo said the directorate’s decision to require NPP members to fill out a membership form at the voting booth to guarantee that they are bona fide NPP members is really to prevent Pesquera from getting enough votes to beat former Gov. Pedro Rossello, his opponent in the race. The representative said Rivera Schatz had changed the rules of the game by proposing the requirement, but the NPP electoral commissioner said Mundo is mistaken. Rivera Schatz read sections of the NPP rule books from 1995 and 1999, which state that no one who refuses to fill out the membership form will be allowed to vote. "The rule book is the law, and it applies to everyone. I am sorry for those who don’t like it," Rivera Schatz concluded.
Superintendent Asked To Name D.R. Liaison October 8, 2003 MAYAGUEZ (AP) — Popular Democratic Party Rep. Carlos Hernandez said Wednesday that he was confident that Police Superintendent Victor Rivera Gonzalez will designate an official to serve as a liaison with the Dominican Republic to establish a joint anti-crime plan. Hernandez traveled a month ago to the neighboring country and attained the support of the national police and representatives of the government of President Hipolito Mejia to establish a plan to channel confidential information related to the illegal trafficking of weapons, drugs, and immigrants. "The plan that we have started with the Dominican authorities is necessary so that we can channel information on criminal intelligence in coordination with the police here," Hernandez said.
Protesters March Against Privatization In UPR October 8, 2003 SAN JUAN (AP) — Some 500 students, professors, and workers of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Rio Piedras Campus marched Wednesday demanding the halt of what they called the privatization policy at the institution. The protesters marched from the Rio Piedras campus to the UPR administrative offices in the Botanical Gardens, where some of their representatives met with UPR President Antonio Garcia Padilla. "No to privatization," read some of the banners held by the protesters, who demanded that the university administration stop subcontracting services that UPR workers could do themselves. Hugo Delgado, spokesman of the Committee against Privatization, said university employees are qualified to do the work that has been subcontracted to private companies.
NPP Electoral Commissioner Denies Sabotage Charges By Melissa B. Gonzalez Valentin of WOW News October 8, 2003 New Progressive Party (NPP) Electoral Commissioner Thomas Rivera Schatz said the procedure to be followed in the upcoming primary will be exactly the same as in previous elections and denied any attempts on his part to hinder NPP President Carlos Pesquera’s chances of winning the NPP gubernatorial candidacy. "I have nothing to hide," said Rivera Schatz after learning that Pesquera’s committee directors had requested that State Elections Commission President Aurelio Gracia settle the issue by guaranteeing that no irregularities would take place at the primary. Rivera Schatz’s statements were issued shortly after NPP Rep. Edwin Mundo–who is also Pesquera’s campaign strategy director–held a press conference Wednesday to denounce the alleged attempts. Mundo said the directorate’s decision to require NPP members to fill out a membership form at the voting booth to guarantee that they are bona fide NPP members is really to prevent Pesquera from getting enough votes to beat former Gov. Pedro Rossello, his opponent in the race. The representative said Rivera Schatz had changed the rules of the game by proposing the requirement, but the NPP electoral commissioner said Mundo is mistaken. Rivera Schatz read sections of the NPP rule books from 1995 and 1999, which state that no one who refuses to fill out the membership form will be allowed to vote. "The rule book is the law, and it applies to everyone. I am sorry for those who don’t like it," Rivera Schatz concluded.
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